Are you a fan of comfort food? Then how about trying delicious creamy parmesan risotto? Well, this Italian creamy rice dish is ideal for a hearty meal. Are you wondering about different eatables to combine with creamy risotto? Here we are providing 20 side dishes to serve with risotto!
1. What is Risotto?
Risotto is an age-old creamy Italian rice dish. The first risotto recipe dates back to the 19th century. Today risotto is widely regarded as a healthy comfort food. The traditional risotto is made by cooking rice with broth.
The risotto has many variations including plain parmesan risotto, vegetable risotto, mushroom risotto, shrimp risotto, saffron risotto, and seafood risotto.
2. How to Make Risotto?
Feel like trying risotto for dinner? Are you worried about finding the right recipe? Don’t worry we got you covered. Let’s go through a basic risotto recipe.
2.1 Getting Ready With Your Ingredients
The risotto requires only a few ingredients. Let’s go through the must-have ingredients to make your risotto.
- 3 Tbsp of butter
- 1 1/2 Cups of Arborio rice
- 1 Onion
- 3 Cups of chicken broth
- 1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Prepared all the ingredients? Now, let’s move to the cooking part.
2.2 Cooking Your Risotto
I. Step One: Statuting Onion
Heat butter in a pan. It is advisable to choose a large pan with enough bottom depth. You can also heat oil with butter according to your preference. Be ready with chopped onions.
As butter melts add your chopped onion and satuate well. Make sure that onion is cooked enough until it turns translucent.
II. Step Two: Adding Rice
It’s time to pour rice. Add 1.5 cups of Arborio rice to the pan. Stir the rice well so that it will get mixed thoroughly with chopped onion and melted butter.
Give enough time, two or three minutes for the rice to cook but make sure not to overcook. Ample time should be given to absorb the flavor of onions.
III. Step Three: Preparing the Broath
Take a separate pan and simmer the broth. Boil it in medium heat.
IV. Step Four: Adding Broath to the Rice Mix
Pour broth into the rice mix. Remember not to add the broth in one go. Add a little first, then stir the rice till it completely absorbs the poured broth.
Try adding broth and stirring multiple times. This way of cooking will help to get the creamy consistency of the ideal risotto. Continue cooking similarly for about 15-20 minutes until the grains are no longer crunchy.
V. Step Five: The Final Touch, Adding Parmesan Cheese
Add the remaining butter and Parmesan cheese. Stir the mixture well, finally, add salt and pepper to taste. Your basic risotto is ready to serve!
If you want to try risotto with different flavors, you can try adding vegetables, saffron, crisp white wine, and mushrooms. Here we are providing a list of 20 side dishes you can serve with risotto.
3. 20 Amazing Side Dishes to Serve With Your Creamy Parmesan Risotto
3.1. Sauteed Mushroom
Sauteed Mushrooms go well with risotto plus it’s easy to make. The prep time is only 15 to 20 minutes. You can use white button mushrooms to make it. Firstly clean and cut the mushroom into pieces. Add them to garlic sauteed in olive oil.
Sprinkle ground black pepper and salt to taste. Stir the mushrooms till they lose water content but remember not to crush them. Garnish with parsley and your favorite herbs. Your perfect appetizer, sauteed Mushrooms are ready to serve with risotto.
3.2. Roasted Vegetables
Roasted veggies are a healthy side dish and will make meals wholesome. Roasted veggies are a great option to combine with risotto. Pick your favorite veggies and slice them into similar sizes. You can choose vegetables according to your individual preferences but broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, eggplants, etc. are great to consider.
Roast them in the oven by adding oil, red pepper flakes, and other seasonings. You can try different seasonings that go well with your taste.
3.3. Fried Shrimp
Fried shrimp is another option to serve with risotto. Shrimp fries can be made in different ways. Some people prefer to fry shrimp with bread crumbs and other seasonings. One good option you can try is air fryer fried shrimp. It is easy to make and crispy to eat.
For making air fryer-fried shrimp, clean the shrimp properly and add salt and pepper. The next step is to make a flour mix to dip the shrimp. You can use all-purpose flour mixed with salt and pepper.
Dip the shrimp in the flour mix first and then in beaten eggs. Coat it with bread crumbs and your shrimp is ready to fry. Fry it in a preheated oven. If you are fond of shrimp, don’t forget to try it with simple risotto or saffron risotto.
3.4. Steak
A well-grilled steak is a good side dish for your risotto. Try grilling the steak or baking. The pan-fried steak is also an option. You can also try different juicy steak recipes by adding various seasonings. Steak is a delicious and rich option to eat with parmesan flavor risotto.
3.5. Scallops
You can try seared or baked sea scallops as a side dish. For making seared sea scallops, clean the scallops well. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the cleaned and dried scallops. Make sure that they are rubbed with salt and pepper. They will taste better only if the flavors of seasonings sink well. Preheat the pan and add oil. When it comes to scallops, olive oil is always a good option. You can also try butter.
When the olive oil or butter evaporates, place the scallops on the pan using tongs. You can flip the scallops after cooking one side for about two to three minutes. They are cooked enough when the scallops turn firm.
Try to fry them in small batches. The warm freshly seared scallops are ready to serve with risotto. You can also try baked scallops. Spread melted butter and creamy garlic on the baking dish.
Place scallops and add your favorite seasonings. Bake the scallops in a preheated oven. The baked or pan-seared scallops and risotto are a great pairing.
3.6. Caprese Salad
A Caprese salad is a rich side dish. Must-have ingredients for this tasty salad include mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil.
Slice the tomatoes into round pieces. Similarly circularly cut mozzarella. Place tomato slices and mozzarella pieces alternately. Make sure that the tomato and mozzarella pieces are overlapping enough. Add basil on the top.
Season your salad with salt and pepper. Your Caprese salad is ready to serve with risotto.
3.7. Green Salad
Green salads are a healthy addition to your main dish, risotto is no exception. Which is your favorite green? How about red-leaf lettuce? Romaine and dinosaur kale are other good options.
You can make a crunchy healthy green salad by adding more green leaves like spinach and lettuce. You can optional ingredients like avocado, slightly sweet tomatoes, and feta cheese to add richness to your salad side dish. Finally, serve with your favorite salad dressing.
3.8. Vegetable Salad
Vegetable salad is another option to pair with your risotto. Vegetable salad is healthy and gives you enough nutrients. Choose your favorite veggies and slice them into pieces of similar size.
Try picking tasty vegetables of different colors and flavors. You can try making the vegetable salad with raw or steamed veggies. Grilling vegetables is also a good option to try. Oion, carrots, cucumber, zucchini, and sweet juicy tomatoes are some good options.
Add oil, vinegar, spices, and seasonings of your choice to enhance the taste. Try different dressings for your vegetable salad. Various additions like Mayanoice, sour cream, or lemon juice will give your vegetable salad a different flavor.
So, try different additions each time! Whatever flavors you choose most of the vegetable salad go well risotto.
3.9. Tomato Salad
Talking about food items to combine with risotto, fresh tomato salad is hard to miss. Gather the tomatoes and slice them into even-sized pieces as possible. If you are using small cherry tomatoes you can just half them.
Add cheese to enhance the richness. Sprinkle it with your favorite herbs. Mint, oregano, and basil leaves are good options.
As for the dressing choose balsamic glaze, greek yogurt, or olive oil. To make perfect balsamic glaze try balsamic reduction. Add salt and red pepper flakes for the taste. Your tomato salad is ready to serve with risotto.
3.10. Roasted Carrots
Risotto with roasted carrots can make a hearty meal. It’s a healthy option to eat with risotto. For roasting cut your carrots into halves or quarter pieces lengthwise. Add carrots to boiling water and cook for about five minutes. Drain the carrot pieces and keep them aside on a paper towel for drying.
Heat a pan and roast the carrots using olive oil. You can also add honey and fresh herbs for flavor. Try roasting carrots in the oven. It’s easy and makes an ideal side dish for a risotto dinner.
3.11. Steamed Broccoli
You may try brocoli as a healthy side dish for your risotto. Broccolis is rich in protein and vitamins. Creamy parmesan flavor risotto with steamed broccoli is an ideal comfort food. To steam your broccoli perfectly, first boil the water.
Add broccoli and it will take only five to six minutes to cook. Check with your fork to know whether it cooked enough. You can add the butter to steamed broccoli. Finally, sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Serve steamed broccoli with creamy shrimp risotto and enjoy a filling meal with your loved ones.
3.12. Garlic Bread
Are you fond of bread? If you are into bread, try garlic bread with your parmesan creamy risotto Garlic bread itself is delicious. For making delicious garlic bread, mix crushed garlic and olive oil in a bowl. Keep it aside and slice the French Bread but remember not to cut it entirely.
Spread the creamy garlic mixture on the bread. If you want it more rich sprinkle garlic powder and fresh herbs. Bake it after wrapping it in aluminum foil. You can also try using butter instead of olive oil.
3.13. Roasted Asparagus
Roasted Asparagus is another great option as a side dish for risotto. Bake the Asparagus after spreading olive oil and sprinkling salt and pepper. The incredible flavor of Asparagus combined with the creamy risotto makes a classy pair.
3.14. Pickled Cucumber
Pickled Cucumber can be served with risotto. Try pickling the salted cucumber with vinegar, sugar, and parsley. If you have pickled cucumbers at home, you don’t have to put any extra effort into making any other side dish. Just serve pickled cucumber with risotto.
3.15. Roasted Onions
Roasted Onion is one of the easiest side dishes for your fantastic risotto. They are rich in flavors and add incredible taste to your creamy risotto. You can try pan-roasted or oven-made onions.
Gather onions and peel the skin. Bake it placing it in a pre-heated oven after spreading olive oil on the dish. You can add lemon juice and salt.
Bake it for approximately an hour and your roasted onions are ready to pair with risotto recipes. If what to eat with your risotto is your concern, choose roasted onions for a tasty meal.
3.16. Roasted Zucchini
Zucchini goes well with many main dishes, and parmesan risotto recipes are no exception. For roasting Zucchini, cut it into cubes or lengthwise. Bake it with the oil and seasonings of your choice.
You can also try steamed and grilled Zucchini as side dishes. Try adding parmesan flavor to your zucchini as well. Roasted, steamed or grilled zucchini are good options to consider with risotto.
3.17.Roasted Green Beans
Roasted green beans are a great side dish for rice dishes with a creamy texture. Try roasting them with your preferred seasonings. Bake it or grill the green beans. Add some lemon juice on the top and green beans are ready to serve.
You can also combine mint soup with green beans. The mint soup adds a rich flavor to your risotto dinner. The mint soup with green beans is a great way to serve risotto.
3.18. Baked Chicken
Are you fond of baked chicken? Then try pairing baked chicken with your favorite risotto recipe for a main course. Whole chicken recipes are always great to try. You can also try baking in parts like chicken breasts. Perfectly tender baked chicken breasts with crispy skin pair perfectly with our main dish and create a satisfying meal for the whole family.
3.19. Crispy Prosciutto
Want to try a crispy side dish for your good risotto? Try crispy prosciutto. It goes well with the best risotto recipes. If you want an elaborate course add poached eggs too. Prosciutto is a crispy dish to eat with risotto.
3.20. Ricotta Meatballs
Ricotta meatballs are a good addition to your perfect risotto course. Choose this amazing meatball with marinated olives to rival restaurant menus and a great option.
4. Wrapping Up
Many side dishes go well with the creamy parmesan risotto. Out of many options, we discussed best dishes to combine with risotto. You can try these side dish recipes and serve with risotto in style for your whole family. These rich combinations can offer a feast to your taste buds.
Last Updated on by riyaspeaks
